Redland City Council needs to push for a second barge ramp on Russell Island

Speaking at a council meeting, Mrs Todd said she was concerned about escape routes from the island, especially after bushfires over the last two years.

Mrs Todd told councillors they should push the state government for the second ramp on behalf of the community.

She said she lived in a wooden house on the southern end of the island where there was no access for a commercial barge.

“There are about 100 residents living on the southern end of Russell Island and we are a bit vulnerable because there is only one exit ramp and that is the commercial barge and boat ramp at the top end,” she said.

Mrs Todd said she lived about 8 kilometres from the ramp and would have to use Sandy Beach as her escape route if she needed to get off the island and did not have her car.

“We cannot put a commercial barge on Sandy Beach so if you do not have your own boat you will be left waiting on the beach to see what would happen if there was a bush fire.”

Mrs Todd said a cable barge service, as suggested by the Southern Moreton Bay Combined Island Association, was also an option.

Her call came days before a barge broke down for a second time in about two months.

On Monday, travellers reported sitting on the barge between Macleay and Lamb islands for about an hour. The ferry had left the mainland at 6.45am.

Last month the barge got stuck for more than 15 hours on the Russell Island ramp.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said last month his department would investigate ramp suitability at the southern end of the island.

​Mr Bailey’s comments were in response to a petition calling for a ramp at Rocky Point that was tabled in state Parliament late last year.

Mr Bailey said he understood Sandy Beach was as popular as Rocky Point and might be suitable for a recreational facility.